Grantham Priory Ruskin students are first in the country to achieve Key Stage 3 qualification

Published: 14:00, 01 May 2017

Pictured are the successful Priory Ruskin Academy KS3 Baccalaureate students (front from left) Kaan Yaldiz, Ciara North, Emily Hollis and Martha Bensley along with students currently completing the National Baccalaureate and Rachel Wyles (Headteacher), Ian Jones (CEO The Priory Federation of Academies Trust) and Mick Oliver (Assistant Head)

Four ambitious students from The Priory Ruskin Academy have become the first students in the country to achieve the National Baccalaureate at KS3.

Martha Bensley (Y7), Emily Hollis (Y8), Ciara North (Y8) and Kaan Yaldiz (Y8) have demonstrated complete commitment to their studies, the academy and wider community through the achievement of their ‘Ruskin Respect Awards’, an award scheme developed by the Academy that recognises students who go the extra mile in five key areas: Aiming High, Learning, Health, Community and Creativity.

In addition to their participation and achievement in the Ruskin Respect Awards the students have also undertaken an independent learning project, which was presented to a panel, and completed a ‘reading passport’, demonstrating they have engaged in a wider reading programme.

Tom Sherrington, Chair of The National Baccalaureate Trust, praised the ‘brilliant’ students when he visited the Academy to see the work they have undertaken to achieve this prestigious awards.

Mick Oliver, Assistant Head who has worked with The National Baccalaureate Trust to introduce the award at KS3 said: “At Ruskin we believe in a rounded education, so we are hugely proud to be the first school in the country to grant the KS3 National Baccalaureate to our students. We are particularly proud of the four dedicated students who achieved the award first. They are trailblazers!”